Outcry over Iran

The outright barbarism of the Iranian regime was demonstrated once more by the intention until late yesterday to stone Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani to death. I raised the case in the Commons on Thursday. As you point out (Editorial, 9 July), the authorities are, fortunately, embarrassed by the outcry from the international community. Renewed pressure is urgently needed to save Ms Ashtiani from any other form of execution, as well as trying to save the other prisoners awaiting death for similar alleged offences.

David Winnick MP

Lab, Walsall North

• In the interests of transparency (Editorial, 6 July), any journalist, politician, commentator, cleric or other opinion former commenting on the pay, pension or perquisites of others in any medium should have to publish, at the beginning of their contribution, in the form most appropriate to the medium, their own pay, pension and other perquisites.

Barbara Burfoot

Alton, Hampshire

• If Michael Gove "believes there is little evidence that new buildings improve standards" (Report, 9 July), I look forward to him moving his department to disused shipping containers on a brownfield site, to avoid wasting taxpayers' money on expensive central London offices.

Lynn Vass

Aldridge, West Midlands

• Isn't the real problem of culture by private philanthropy (The arts need a really big give, 9 July) that we get the culture the philanthropists want us to have?

• So, even though "250,000 years earlier than previously thought" (Meet the Norfolk relatives, 8 July), the sole woman depicted in the illustration seems to be busy doing the laundry, even though none of the characters are wearing clothes.